Microsoft, Google Agree To Stop Complaining To Regulators About Each Other (recode.net)

An anonymous reader shares an article on Recode: Microsoft and Google say they have recently reached an agreement under which they will drop pending regulatory complaints against one another across the globe. The two have also agreed that they will try to work among themselves to settle any future issues before running to regulators. "Microsoft has agreed to withdraw its regulatory complaints against Google, reflecting our changing legal priorities," a Microsoft representative said in a statement to Re/code. âoeWe will continue to focus on competing vigorously for business and for customers." Google, meanwhile, offered up a similar statement, affirming that it too will withdraw any regulatory complaints it has made. âoeOur companies compete vigorously, but we want to do so on the merits of our products, not in legal proceedings."Also from the report, "The timing is interesting, coming just as European regulators charge that Google is abusing its position in the Android market. However, both sides say the deal was in the works for some time."

Comments

What's this called?

[NotInHere]

"Cartel"? Is that the word for it?

Re:What's this called?

[NotInHere]

Google is world monopolist in multiple multi billion dollar markets (Search, Android), as well as Microsoft (Windows, Office). Apple is no market leader anywhere. The only thing Apple does better than Google or Microsoft is to make wagonloads of money with the tiny share they have. Apple serves the most profitable minority, while Google and MS take over the rest.

Re:What's this called?

[wonkey_monkey]

Don't upset the AppleCartel.

Thank God.

[pecosdave]

I never thought I would see this sort of thing in my lifetime.

Using your own strength and position to get what you want is healthy, respectable competition. Running to regulators is like a couple of little kids fighting in the back seat and is admitting you don't have what it takes to play on the market. Especially at the size of these two companies.

Re:Thank God.

[Waffle Iron]

That's right!

You don't see rival mob families running to the police for help solving their conflicts. They're able to divide up the landscape into exclusive territories without government help.

Collusion?

[Anonymous Coward]

Does this sound like collusion to anyone else?

Re:Collusion?

[__aaclcg7560]

Does this sound like collusion to anyone else?

Collusion is where companies agree to screw over consumers in private. That word doesn't apply to stop bitching about each other in public.

Priorities

[BorgDrone]

Microsoft has agreed to withdraw its regulatory complaints against Google, reflecting our changing legal priorities

Seems like they finally realised who the real enemy is in this: the consumer.

Seriously though, if you don't want any trouble with regulatory complaints, maybe try not to break any regulations.

How is OOXML still "closed"?

[tepples]

How are the Office Open XML (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) formats still "closed proprietary monstrosities"? Are there still holes in the documentation published by Ecma and ISO? Or is Microsoft claiming that third-party implementations infringe its copyrights, patents, or trademarks?

Re:How is OOXML still "closed"?

[tepples]

You make a good point about "transitional" mess. But I'm interested in what holes you found in Microsoft's patent pledge. Do these arguments from eight years ago still apply? Or has Microsoft fixed them?

MOOXML, which was unnecessary when a perfectly good open format ODF already existed

Was ODF suitable to round-trip every single feature of the existing .doc, .xls, and .ppt formats? Or would it have required Microsoft to drop features on which at least some paying customers depend? For example, do compatibility options in Word and formulas and macros in Excel survive a round trip to ODF?

Microsoft fan-boism/shilling

I have never been paid by Microsoft or anyone else to recommend Microsoft products. As a fan of free software, I want to make sure the anti-OOXML claims are as strong as they can be: sufficiently detailed and free of holes that might threaten the overall argument for free software.

Found the transcript

[93 Escort Wagon]

Microsoft: Mom, Google just poked me!
Google: Did Not!
Microsoft: Did too!
Mom: Google, please stop touching Microsoft.
(Microsoft sticks its tongue out at Google. Then, a minute later puts its hand down on the seat and starts slowly moving it towards Google)
Google: MO-ommm, Microsoft has its hand on my seat!
Microsoft: MO-ommm, Microsoft has its hand on my seat!
Google: Stop repeating everything I say!
Microsoft: Stop repeating everything I say!
Google: Microsoft is an idiot!
Microsoft: Microsoft is an... (then punches Google)
Google: MOM! MICROSOFT HIT ME!
Microsoft: GOOGLE STARTED IT!
Mom: Both of you, knock it off! You two need to get along - we've got a long trip ahead.
Dad: YOU TWO KNOCK IT OFF RIGHT NOW OR I AM TURNING THIS CAR AROUND!
(Google sticks its tongue out at Microsoft)

Collusion

[HeckRuler]

Gather round children, it's time old uncle Sherman played his favourite tune called Collusion.

Now when the young little cats get to hissin' n' scratching

You can bet all them rats are a hidin' and a quakin'

All the kittens that compete get a nice little treat

And the market is nice and free.

Buuuuuuuuuuut,

When the cats dun grow fat... and they can't scratch their back

And they get an old friend to help

Well we call that a scam what a horrible sham

And ol' sherman dun gets out his belt

Cause them rats get to play all the night and all day

And they dun shit on all of our pay.

With a whip and whap I take care o' all that

And them cats get to lose a few pounds.

Now children, you might remember when your kitten was a darling little cute thing and it was full of spit and fire trying to make the world a better place. But times change and kittens grow into cats. And cats get fat with power and wealth. And then it's time to take them out back teach them some proper manners.

Personally, I thought it would take longer. I gave Google until the time that the founders stepped down. In retrospect, it was awfully nice of them to have a name-change to indicate the moment when they decided to grow goatees and give into the bean counters and business suits.